I've heard about US legalization and Washington express visas. So I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with either one of them? Or which one would you recommend for apostilles?

I've done some research and US legalization is $20 cheaper than Washington express visa, but if it's just that...I wouldn't mind paying a bit more if their service is better. Also US legalization is not located in DC, will that delay the apostille time?

I just used US Legalization last week. Sent it out via Fedex on a Tuesday, got there on Thursday. They apostilled it on Friday. And I just got it back. So it took only about a week. If you wanted to chip the extra for next day shipping both ways, i'm sure you could have it back a lot quicker.

I was really pleased with US Authentication services. Whole thing took me a week. Would probably take faster if FBI had sent the CBC to US Auth instead of to me in Korea (not to mention have saved me a fedex fee). I thought the pricing was fairly reasonable too, considing that in my state (NV) to have the same turn-around time it cost about $75-$125 at the SoS, and these guys only charged $65. They also really make Apostille Pros look like a ripoff.

The FBI provides a background check. It is an official document. It is not enough on its own, however, to be acceptable for the South Korean government's E2 visa requirements. The E2 is the type of visa foreign teachers of English get to legally enter the country and teach.

That Criminal Background Check (CBC) must be sent or taken to the US Department of State in Washington, DC to receive an Apostille, a further certification that your document has been reviewed and approved for use between countries participating in the Hague Convention.

The CBC goes to the State Department. The State Department reviews it and attaches their paperwork to it and you have an officially sanctioned document.

The State Department does not provide the CBC. The FBI does not provide the Apostille. Two separate agencies doing two separate things so you can receive an E2 visa.

The cheapest way to do it is send it to the Secretary of State directly - http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/. The problem is which do you want quick or cheap? You can not have both. Those services are useful as the companies go into the office and get them signed. Those that send in may have to wait a week or more as the paper sits on a desk and get looked at later when they feel like it.